Trends in Indigenous mortality and life expectancy 2001–2015

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This report examines Indigenous mortality and life expectancy during the period 2001 to 2015, based on evidence from the Enhanced Mortality Database. The study observed increases in life expectancy during the study period for both Indigenous males and females across most jurisdictions. Life expectancy however increased faster among non-Indigenous than among Indigenous males and females. As a result, there was little change in the life expectancy gap.

ISBN: 978-1-76054-058-6

Cat. no: IHW 174

Pages: 105

Findings from this report:

The early death of Indigenous males under 50 contributed 44% of the Indigenous life expectancy gap

The early death of Indigenous females before age 50 contributed 30% of the Indigenous life expectancy gap

During the study period, age-standardised death rates declined for both Indigenous males and females

The largest differences in mortality between Indigenous and other Australians were in infants and people aged 45+ years